An Internet hub for moderates, centrists, and independents, with domestic and international news, analysis, original reporting, and popular features from the left, center, and right

« McCain Says Amen Brother

News From the Israeli and Palestinian Front: March 22nd »

Senator John McCain’s Verbal Gaffes

Posted by JOE GANDELMAN, Editor-In-Chief in Politics.
Mar 22nd, 2008 | Comments

Are verbal gaffes by the virtually-certain Republican nominee Senator John McCain slips-of-the-tongue? Or, in some cases, are they deliberate? Here’s a MUST-READ on this issue..

And here are the possibilities:

(1) McCain is sloppy in his initial thinking and presentation. If this is true, it’ll be more notable as the campaign goes on. In many of these instances, Connecticut Independent Senator Joe Lieberman has been at the scene of the verbal crime to jump in and correct him (on subjects such as Al Qaeda and even the Jewish holiday of Purim). But Lieberman can’t be standing next to McCain correcting him during the Presidential debate.

(2) It is strategic. It is said to target audiences and to try and get it “out there” in sound bytes. Once again, this will become more evident as the campaign goes on and if it appears to be strategic in some instances, then the press will call him on it, the Democrats will have an issue and McCain will start to have a credibility problem.

McCain’s solution (if it is not strategic) is just to think a bit more before he talks. Too many gaffes and the material-seeking late-night comedians will turn him into a punchline.

Ads by Project Wonderful! Your ad here, right now: $0

superdestroyer

McCain is basically unfit to the President. He refuses to do the work the understand issues. After seven years of having a president who does not sweat the details, who wants another one?

Of course, it does not appear that either of the Democratic candidates really sweat the details because the Democratic campaign has been devoid of issues.

Jillmz

Oy I hate saying this but...remember how people, long after Reagan was gone from the White House, suggested that he might have started to suffer from Alzheimers during the last few years in office?

Well - I don't think McCain has Alzheimers, but I do believe that his mind isn't what it used to be. I don't know how we can be asked to NOT consider that.

StockBoySF

If the media neglects to pursue McCains misstatements and the Dems pursue them, then many people will think that it's just partisan bickering. The media needs to cover McCain and point out his errors.

I think most voters do want a smart and capable president. But they get sucked into the media's image. And if McCain doesn't know the difference between x and y, then I think most voters find that acceptable- because they don't know the difference either. I think Americans view McCain as someone who is reasonable. Sure they may not like all of McCain's policies, but there has been so much negative scrutiny of Hillary and Obama that there is doubt as to H's and O's character and ability to lead the country during this time of war.

Not only do voters believe that McCain is reasonable, but I think they are willing to over look his support of the Iraq war because Americans want someone to be able to lead us through it. We're in the middle of the war so really how we got there is a moot point. I think Americans are more afraid of what would happen if we get out of the war then what happens if we stay in it.

Unfortunately voters don't want to spend a lot of time "getting to know" the candidates. Americans aren't that complicated- they want their basic needs taken care of (security in this case), don't want someone who squabbles and they're happy to choose someone they identify with. This appears to be McCain.

domajot

I'm very glad that McCain gets the curtesy of several explanations for his gaffes being considered with no outright, assured claims as to which is the correct one.

How nice it would be to see all candidates treated with such sensitivity.

blog comments powered by Disqus